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Docklands Christians campaign to stop arms fair

January 1st, 2003

The Christian People's Alliance, a group of all the main Christian churches in Newham, east London, are campaigning to end an arms fair that takes place on their doorstep every two years. Nearly 1,000 arms companies congregate in London's Docklands to sell arms, bombs and other weapons to buyers from all over the world. Some of these weapons are supplied to the worst regions of conflict in the world. Past countries invited have included some with the worst records of human rights violations: Indonesia (1999), Colombia (2001) and Saudi Arabia (three times running). The fair takes place behind massive security fences and police lines. The public are not invited. Alan Craig, a local Councillor and sole Opposition member of Newham Council, who also leads the Alliance, is pressing Mayor Sir Robin Wales to meet with ExCel, the MoD, event organisers Spearhead and with DSEi to ensure the fair in September is the last to be held in Newham. Newham Council will be debating a motion that the arms fair is immoral and attracts repressive regimes at its next full meeting next Monday, 20 June. The Christian Peoples Alliance has called on Sir Robin to publicly represent the people of Newham at a peaceful candlelit vigil against the arms fair to be held at ExCel on 12th September. "Our directly-elected mayor has a key role in representing Newham residents so it's vital he attends the vigil," said Cllr Craig. "If he works actively in public and private to stop the arms fair, it will at least put heavy pressure on the arms industry to hold the event in a more appropriate location away from highly-populated areas like Newham. I hope the event will be cancelled outright." Source: CPA

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